In a significant move to ease the financial burden on families, the Irish government has launched a new scheme that will provide free schoolbooks and classroom resources to over 212,000 Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools across the country.
The scheme, announced by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton TD, is set to benefit students enrolled in approximately 670 schools as the new school year begins.
A substantial increase in funding, totaling €68 million, has been allocated by the government to facilitate this groundbreaking initiative. This will ensure that parents and guardians of Junior Cycle students in the Free Education Scheme are no longer required to purchase or rent any schoolbooks for the 2024/25 academic year.
“This scheme is a hugely positive milestone for families as it eases some of the financial burden facing them with back-to-school costs,” said Minister Foley. “For the first time, parents and guardians of students in Junior Cycle years in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme are not being asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks for the 2024/25 school year.”
The new scheme builds upon the existing free schoolbook scheme available in all recognized primary schools, including special schools. It aims to enhance the educational experience of young people by providing them with the necessary resources to excel in the classroom and at home.
Minister Naughton emphasized the importance of the scheme for students with special educational needs, stating, “The delivery of this Programme for Government commitment will make a real difference in reducing the back-to-school costs for parents and guardians of students with special educational needs attending mainstream and special classes in post-primary schools.”
With the implementation of this groundbreaking initiative, the government has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that every child and young person in Ireland has access to the resources they need to thrive in their educational journey.